BY C STONE | STONE NEWS NETWORK
Source: AFRICAN.BUSINESS
After President Trump placed thousands of U.S. aid workers on administrative leave on February 7th, agencies in Africa began to worry about the long term implications.
Poor African nations like Ethiopia, are the top recipient of aid in 2023 with $1.37 billion - and Somalia with $973 million dollars.
“The decision by the US government to suspend aid comes at a time Africa is deep in debt and humanitarian appeals for the continent are woefully underfunded,” says Fati N’zi-Hassane, director of Oxfam in Africa.
“The move will leave millions more exposed to suffering and even death.”
Essential items like life-saving malaria drugs, food, and 48 doses of preventative medication could spell doom if withheld from Africa.
USAID was established by an act of Congress in 1961, and does not have the legal authority to abolish it. Making up the missing money will be impossible.
“The US has long been the world’s largest donor of foreign development aid, including humanitarian assistance. Making up this funding gap will be very difficult. It’s also hard for others to step in when it’s not clear what programs will resume and when.”
USAID can make up to 16% of GDP for South Sudan - assisting in stabilizing and feeding people who have nothing.
“The US has long been the world’s largest donor of foreign development aid, including humanitarian assistance. Making up this funding gap will be very difficult. It’s also hard for others to step in when it’s not clear what programs will resume and when.”
The nature and role of the United States of America is to lead by example - generosity, compassion, and giving a helping hand to those who have nothing.
Hopefully USAID will once again be activated.
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